Device for applying a substance, in particular a cosmetic, and its method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for applying a substance, the device comprising:  
     an applicator member having at least one of a fibrous and cellular element, the element defining a surface for applying the substance. At least a portion of said surface comprises projecting fibers, the projecting fibers being attached to a portion of the element. The portion of the element and the fibers are made out of a same material.

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for applying a substance, in particular a cosmetic, and their methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The term “cosmetic” is used to mean a substance as defined in EEC Council Directive 96/35 of Jun. 14, 1993, amending for the sixth time EEC Directive 76/768.

[0003] Numerous applicator devices are known comprising an applicator member made of foam having a surface that is used for applying substance on the skin, for example a powder, a lotion, or a cream.

[0004] In order to increase the uniformity of the resulting makeup, or to improve comfort of application, the foam is sometimes covered in flocking. For some substances, the presence of the flocking can reduce the quantity of substance which the applicator member can take up, thus leading to smaller coverage and/or obliging the user to refill the applicator member more frequently with substance.

[0005] In addition, it has been found that by using foams shaped by cutting with a sharp tool, the walls of the cells present at the surface of the foam have a tendency to scrape the substance on the skin, thus making it difficult to deposit an appropriate thickness thereof.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Consequently, there exists a need to benefit from an applicator device comprising an applicator member which is simultaneously comfortable in application and capable of depositing a desired quantity of substance on the skin.

[0007] In one of its aspects, the invention provides a device for applying a substance, in particular a cosmetic, the device comprising an applicator member having at least one fibrous or cellular element with a surface that is used for applying the substance, the device being characterizable by the fact that at least a portion of said surface has projecting fibers, said fibers being made out of the material constituting the portion of the element to which they are attached.

[0008] The term “fiber” should be understood broadly and covers structures that need not be totally in the form of threads, e.g. structures presenting one or more free ends or one or more zones (e.g. two or three zones) that are connected to the remainder of the element. Thus, a fiber may include ramifications, for example. A fiber may have one or more thread-like extensions having free ends, and it may be connected in flexible manner to the remainder of the element. The fibers are made integrally with the portion of the element to which they are attached.

[0009] By means of the invention, the surface of the element used for application can be made more comfortable and more suitable for picking up an increased quantity of substance.

[0010] The fibers may form a covering of down extending over more than one-fourth, or indeed more than one-half, e.g. three-fourths of the surface area used for application purposes.

[0011] The element may be elastically deformable and/or compressible.

[0012] The element may be a felt or a foam. The felt or foam may be made of a single material.

[0013] The term “felt” is used herein to mean a fiber structure comprising filaments that are tangled in all directions. Such a structure can be relatively compact.

[0014] At least a fraction of the fibers may be formed by the walls of cells that have burst. Such a covering of down may lead to softness in application comparable to that provided by flocking, while avoiding the drawbacks thereof.

[0015] The above-mentioned down may extend over a surface area of the foam which corresponds, for example, to more than half the application surface area.

[0016] A major fraction of the fibers may present ramifications.

[0017] The foam may include craters in its surface, which craters may be of a depth not less than 0.4 millimeters (mm), for example, and possibly not less than 0.7 mm, e.g. not less than 1.3 mm or even not less than 1.5 mm. Such craters, which may be obtained by removing the walls from a group of cells, the group comprising five to 15 cells for example, make it possible for the foam to contain in its surface a quantity of substance that is greater than the quantity possible when the foam has been cut by means of a sharp tool and has not been subjected to subsequent treatment. The fibers may extend from around each crater.

[0018] The craters may be disseminated, in particular they may be regularly disseminated, over a surface area of the foam which corresponds to more than half the application surface area, for example.

[0019] The foam may include a lattice of thread-like walls, being made for example out of a material selected from the following list: polyurethane, polyether, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), this list not being limiting. The element may present hydrophilic properties, and in particular it may incorporate at least one water-absorbing compound, e.g. a polyacrylate.

[0020] When the foam presents hydrophilic properties, and possibly includes water-absorbing compounds, the fact that the foam presents a surface state as defined above can further reinforce its affinity for substances that contain water.

[0021] By way of example, the applicator member may constitute a sponge which is independent of any support.

[0022] The applicator member may be used to take substance from a receptacle, for example being housed in the receptacle while it is closed and not in use.

[0023] The applicator member may be secured to a support, which support may comprise, for example, a handle or knob that is also suitable for constituting a closure member for a receptacle containing the substance to be applied.

[0024] The applicator member may comprise a first foam element fixed to a second foam element so as to form an applicator member associated with a support, or in a variant a sponge that is independent of any support.

[0025] Between them the two elements may define an internal cavity, in particular a cavity filled with air, giving the applicator member greater flexibility during application.

[0026] The two elements may present surface states that are either substantially identical, or else different.

[0027] The applicator member may be fixed by means of a central region to a support and it may present a free peripheral region, e.g. capable of flexing on being pressed in use against the surface onto which the substance is to be deposited.

[0028] The surface of the applicator member used for application may be outwardly concave, such a shape making it possible to increase the quantity of substance which the applicator member can pick up.

[0029] The element may further include flocking.

[0030] The applicator member may present two portions of its surface serving for application purposes and having different surface states, for example one surface state may correspond to a sharp element cutting into the foam, while the other surface state is different from the first, e.g. corresponding to treating the foam with an abrasive tool.

[0031] The abrasion may be performed by means of an abrasive wheel, a milling cutter, or a brush.

[0032] The abrasion may be performed while the element is compressed.

[0033] In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a method of manufacturing an applicator device, in which a surface of a fibrous or cellular element, which surface is to be used as an applicator surface, is treated in such a manner as to make fibers out of the material of the element, the fibers projecting from the surface of the element.

[0034] Such a surface state may be obtained in particular by subjecting the surface of the element to abrasive treatment, which makes it possible with a foam to burst the walls of the cells present at the surface of the foam, thereby creating down and craters.

[0035] The abrasive treatment may be performed by means of an abrasive wheel, a milling cutter, or a brush, and it may take place while the element is compressed, for example.

[0036] The surface state may differ depending on the roughness of the abrasive wheel or of the milling cutter that is used, or on the nature of the brush and the pressure that is exerted on the element while it is being treated.

[0037] The general shape of the element before and after the abrasive treatment need not be significantly modified. The abrasive treatment may contribute, in a variant, to giving the element its final shape.

[0038] In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a device comprising an applicator member having at least one fibrous or cellular element, in particular a foam, having a surface for use in applying the substance, said device being characterizable by the fact that at least a portion of said surface presents a surface state different from that which would be obtained by cutting the element by means of a sharp tool.

[0039] In another of its aspects, the invention provides a kit for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, the kit comprising a receptacle containing the cosmetic to be applied and an applicator device as defined above.

[0040] In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a method of manufacturing an applicator device in which a surface of a fibrous or cellular element, in particular a foam, that is to be used at least in part as an applicator surface is treated in such a manner as to give it a surface state that is different from the surface state that would be obtained by cutting the element with a sharp tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting elements, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a sponge made in accordance with the invention;

[0043]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a cell of the foam;

[0044]FIG. 3 is a photograph of the surface of a foam after abrasive treatment;

[0045]FIG. 4 is a photograph of the surface of a foam obtained by cutting the foam with a sharp element;

[0046]FIG. 5 shows an example of a fiber in isolation;

[0047]FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams of different tools that can be used for treating the foam;

[0048] FIGS. 7 to 10 show various differing sponges; and

[0049] FIGS. 11 to 15 are fragmentary diagrams showing various devices amongst other possible devices implementing the invention.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050]FIG. 1 shows a sponge 1 for use in applying a powder on the skin, for example.

[0051] In the example shown, the sponge 1 is constituted by a block of open-celled foam, e.g. a flexible polyurethane foam. In a variant, the sponge could be made of felt.

[0052]FIG. 2 shows that each cell 3 is formed by a plurality of interconnected thread-like walls 4 extending in multiple directions. By way of example, each cell may comprise a succession of four or five walls 4 each of which is substantially rectilinear and together forming a loop.

[0053] The sponge 1 shown in FIG. 1 has two main opposite faces 5 and 6 that are both slightly concave towards the outside, each having received abrasive treatment in order to form down 7 and craters in their respective surfaces.

[0054] The down 7 is formed by the shredded walls of cells, as can be seen in the photograph of FIG. 3.

[0055] The surface state of the faces 5 and 6 is thus different from the surface state that would be obtained by cutting the foam by means of a sharp tool.

[0056]FIG. 4 is a photograph of the surface of the foam after being cut by means of a sharp tool.

[0057] By comparing FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the surface of the foam that has been subjected to abrasive treatment presents shredded cells forming the fibers that constitute the down 7 and the craters 8 that are created by removing groups of cells.

[0058]FIG. 5 is a diagram giving an example of a fiber obtained by destructuring the surface of the foam. In this figure, it can be seen that the fiber has ramifications 4 a which may optionally be coplanar. For example, with most of the fibers the distance d measured between a free end 4 c of the fiber and an end 4 b where the fiber is connected to the remainder of the element (i.e. to the substance that has not been damaged) can be greater than the mean length of a cell wall 4.

[0059] The depth of a crater 8 can be determined, for example, by using an optical method, which consists in using a microscope and focusing it initially on the walls 4 surrounding the crater, and then focusing it on the walls 4 constituting the bottom of the crater, and then taking a reading relating to the displacement of the microscope between the two positions.

[0060] Using this method, it is possible to measure the mean depth of the craters, and this mean depth may be greater than 0.7 mm, for example.

[0061] It is possible to use various tools in order to perform the abrasive treatment on the fibrous or cellular element, and in particular a foam.

[0062] By way of example, the treatment may be performed while the surface being treated is substantially plane, the element then resting on a plane support, for example.

[0063] The treatment may be performed by moving an abrasive wheel M over the surface of the element, the wheel being driven to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the treated surface (FIG. 6A) or substantially parallel to the treated surface (FIG. 6B), or by using a cutter F (FIG. 6C) or a brush B (FIG. 6D).

[0064] The number and depth of the above-mentioned craters, and the length of the fibers that are formed depend on the abrasive treatment that is performed and in particular on the pressure exerted on the foam while it is being abraded and also on the surface state of the tool used for treating the foam, e.g. its roughness.

[0065] By way of example, the depth of the craters can be greater or smaller, e.g. lying in the range about 0.4 mm to about 2 mm.

[0066] The fibers created by abrasion may extend substantially all around each crater.

[0067] The presence of the down 7 and of the craters 8 procures numerous advantages.

[0068] Firstly, the down 7 makes the foam softer in application and serves in particular to avoid it scraping the substance that has been deposited on the skin when it is moved in contact therewith.

[0069] In addition, the craters 8 constitute cavities in which substance can accumulate while the applicator surface is being loaded. Thus, the applicator surface presents enhanced ability to pick up substance, thereby improving coverage and/or the length of time the applicator member can be used between being refilled.

[0070]FIG. 7 shows a variant sponge having a face 11 which has been subjected to abrasive treatment and which presents down 7 on its surface, and having an opposite face 12 which can be obtained in conventional manner by cutting and which presents a surface state similar to that shown in FIG. 4.

[0071] One or other of the faces 11 and 12 can be used as selected by the user depending on the desired effect.

[0072] The applicator member may be constituted by a single block of cellular or fibrous material, in particular a foam, as is the case in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 7, or in a variant it may comprise an assembly of at least two elements, in particular two foam elements.

[0073] By way of example, FIG. 8 shows a sponge which differs from that shown in FIG. 1 by the fact that the block of foam 2 is replaced by two foam elements 13 and 14 which are assembled together on a midplane 15.

[0074] It is also possible to provide a cavity within the sponge as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0075]FIG. 9 shows a sponge formed by assembling together two foam elements 17 and 18, e.g. elements in the form of disks, each of which elements has received abrasive treatment on one face, with the two elements forming between them a cavity 19 that is filled with air. The elements may be assembled together by being heat-sealed at their periphery 20 around the cavity 19.

[0076] The example of FIG. 10 differs from that of FIG. 9 by the fact that only the element 17 has received abrasive treatment on its outside face.

[0077] In the examples described above, the applicator member constitutes a sponge, sometimes also known as a “powder puff”.

[0078] It would not go beyond the ambit of the present invention for the applicator member to be secured to a support, as described below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16.

[0079]FIG. 11 shows a packaging and application kit 20 comprising a receptacle 21 and an applicator device 22, which device comprises an applicator member constituted by a foam element 23 that has received abrasion treatment on at least a portion of its face 24 that is for use in applying substance, thereby forming down 7 and craters.

[0080] The foam is fixed via its opposite face 25 to a support 26 also constituting a member for closing the receptacle.

[0081] In the example shown, it should be observed that the peripheral region of the element is free, leaving a gap 27 relative to the support, thus making it possible to give the applicator member greater flexibility.

[0082] The receptacle may have a moving bottom wall 28 enabling the substance P to be urged towards the applicator member 23.

[0083] Naturally, it would not go beyond the ambit of the present invention for the receptacle to be made in some other manner, for example having a screen 60 as shown in FIG. 12.

[0084] The applicator member may be secured to a rigid or flexible support which need not constitute an element for closing a receptacle.

[0085] By way of example, FIG. 13 shows a device 30 for applying a substance, which device comprises a handle 31 provided with a head 32 having a block 33 of foam fixed on one face thereof, the foam having received abrasion treatment on its surface in order to form down 7 and craters.

[0086]FIG. 14 shows another example in which the applicator member 40 is secured to a rod 41 shown in part only. The rod 41 may be used, for example, to dip into a receptacle containing the substance, optionally passing through a wiper member.

[0087] In general, and as applies in particular to this example, the applicator member may comprise a first portion 42 whose surface has received abrasive treatment and a second portion 43, e.g. diametrically opposite the first, whose surface has not received any abrasive treatment since being shaped using a conventional tool.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 15, the applicator member may also be secured to a receptacle containing the substance for application.

[0089]FIG. 15 shows a kit 50 comprising a receptacle 51 having a dispenser endpiece 52 at its top end in the form of a dome, with an applicator member 53 being fixed thereto, the applicator member being constituted by a foam element whose outside surface has received abrasion treatment in order to form down 7 and craters.

[0090] The applicator element may also be received in a housing whose bottom wall includes at least one orifice for feeding substance, as shown in FIG. 16. In this figure it can be seen that the cellular or fibrous element can be configured in such a manner as to have its periphery bearing against a side wall of the housing, and possibly also bearing against the bottom wall of the housing.

[0091] The invention is not limited to the examples described above, and some or all of their characteristics can be used in combination.

[0092] Throughout the description, including in the claims, the term “including a” should be understood as being synonymous with “including at least one” unless specified to the contrary. 

What is claimed is: 1/ A device for applying a substance comprising: an applicator member having at least one of a fibrous and cellular element, the element defining a surface for applying the substance, wherein at least a portion of said surface comprises projecting fibers, the projecting fibers being attached to a portion of the element, wherein the portion of the element and the fibers are made out of a same material. 2/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers form a covering extending over more than half of the surface area used for application purposes. 3/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element is elastically deformable. 4/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element is compressible. 5/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element is a felt. 6/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element is a foam. 7/ A device according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the fibers is constituted by the walls of burst cells. 8/ A device according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the fibers have ramifications. 9/ A device according to claim 8, wherein a major portion of the fibers have ramifications. 10/ A device according to claim 7, wherein, for a majority of the fibers, a distance between a free end of a fiber and a connection end thereof is greater than the mean length of a wall of a cell. 11/ A device according to claim 6, wherein the surface of the foam includes craters of depth not less than 0.4 mm. 12/ A device according to claim 11, wherein the craters present a depth not less than 0.7 mm. 13/ A device according to claim 12, wherein the craters present a depth not less than 1.5 mm. 14/ A device according to claim 11, wherein the craters are spread over a foam surface area corresponding to more than half the application surface area. 15/ A device according to claim 6, wherein the foam comprises a lattice of thread-like walls. 16/ A device according to claim 6, wherein the foam is made of a material selected from the following list: polyurethane, polyether, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and EVA. 17/ A device according to claim 6, wherein the applicator member comprises two assembled-together foam elements. 18/ A device according to claim 17, wherein the two elements define an internal cavity. 19/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element presents hydrophilic properties. 20/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element incorporates at least one water-absorbing compound. 21/ A device according to claim 1, including a receptacle containing a substance for application. 22/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member constitutes a sponge. 23/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element is secured to a support. 24/ A device according to claim 23, wherein the element is fixed via a central region to the support and presents a peripheral region that is free. 25/ A device according to claim 23, wherein the support constitutes a handle. 26/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the surface for applying the substance is outwardly concave. 27/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member presents two surface portions for use in applying a substance, which surface portions have different surface states. 28/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the element further includes flocking. 29/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the fibers are obtained by subjecting the element to abrasive treatment. 30/ A device according to claim 29, wherein the abrasion is performed by one of an abrasive wheel, a milling cutter and a brush. 31/ A device according to claim 29, wherein the abrasion is performed while the element is compressed. 32/ A device according to claim 1, wherein the substance is a cosmetic. 33/ A method of manufacturing an applicator device, in which a surface of one of a fibrous and cellular element made of a material, which surface is to be used as an applicator surface, is treated in such a manner as to make fibers out of the material of the element, the fibers projecting from the surface of the element. 34/ A method according to claim 33, wherein the fibers are obtained by subjecting the surface of the element to an abrasive treatment. 35/ A method according to claim 34, wherein the abrasive treatment is performed by one of an abrasive wheel, a milling cutter and a brush. 36/ A method according to claim 34, wherein the abrasive treatment takes place while the element is compressed. 37/ A method according to claim 33, wherein the general shape of the element before and after treatment is not substantially modified. 38/ A method according to claim 33, wherein the treatment contributes to giving the element a final shape. 39/ A method according to claim 33, wherein the element is a foam. 40/ A method according to claim 39, wherein the foam comprises a lattice of thread-like walls. 41/ A kit for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, the kit comprising a receptacle containing the cosmetic and an applicator device according to claim
 1. 